College of Medicine & Dentistry

My research interests bridge the local with the global. I am a passionate North Queenslander who has the privilege of working with like-minded global partners. I believe all tropical communities deserve the most appropriate, accessible and affordable health systems. Since 2009 I have been an active member of the Training for Health Equity Network (THEnet), a global collaboration of health professional schools aspiring to be socially accountable. I am a member of the Scientific Committee of the World Summit on Social Accountability; ‘Improving the Impact of Educational Institutions on People’s Health’ (to be held in Tunis in 2017).

Prior to commencing employment at JCU in 2005, I worked for the Australian government and NGOs in Australia, South-East Asia and the UK. I enjoy working with communities and community-based organisations on participatory research and evaluation projects.

I am an inter-disciplinary researcher (traveller) with a background in anthropology, health promotion and global health. I welcome enquires from honours and postgraduate students from any College who aspire to solve the wicked problems of our health and social systems.

2016 to 2017 - Scientific Committee of the World Summit on Social Accountability.

Publications

These are the most recent publications
associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of
all publications stored at JCU, visit
ResearchOnline@JCU.
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Department of Health - Pharmacy Trial Program

$1,040,046 over 3 years (administered by Pharmaceutical Society of Australia)

Summary

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience a much higher burden of disease due to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health problems. Many deaths from these illnesses can be prevented if patients are better supported to take their medicines and prescribing quality is improved. This trial will explore if including a practice pharmacist in the primary health care team within Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHSs) leads to improvements in the quality of care that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive. Our trial will tell us if prescribing by doctors is improved, if patients are more likely to take their medicines, and if indicators of their health are improving over time.

Department of Health - Contract Research

National Research Project on Remote Radiology Assessment Service Delivery

Indicative Funding

$350,000 over 3 years

Summary

This project will investigate outcomes of the BreastScreen Australia remote radiology assessment trial at sites through9out Australia. Engaging a remote radiologist may assist with overcoming many challenges associated with providing health services in a regional, rural or remote location. This project seeks to ensure that the alternative model of service delivery is appropriate for consumers, evidence-based and safe. Specifically, this project will assess how the new remote radiology model affects: - Patient safety - Patient acceptability - Staff acceptability of new model of service provision - The safe, efficient organisation of BreastScreen services

Diabetes Collaborative Evaluation Project

Indicative Funding

$28,860

Summary

The diabetes collaborative is a Continuous quality Improvement (CQI) approach to change that aims to improve health outcomes for patients diagnosed with Diabetes. It involves the introduction of a team-based, sustainable approach to learning whilst providing a sound understanding and application of quality improvement methodology and skills. This project aims to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the WQPHN diabetes collaborative. Expected outcomes of the equation will be a greater understanding of the process of implementation and any changes within participant health services as a result of the collaborative. Evaluation of the program in the rural and remote context of WQPHN will inform on feasibility and effectiveness of this approach.

Advisory Accreditation:
I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or
by students who have completed their studies within the past
5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within
ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

Experiences of dementia in Fiji: perspectives of people with dementia, caregivers, community and service providers
(PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Enhancing Current International Human Research Ethics Guidelines by Including Indigenous Principles of Human Research Ethics. The Cases of the Pacific Island Nations of Fiji and Tonga.
(PhD , Primary Advisor)

What is the economic and social impacts of Monash University, School of Rural Health - Bairnsdale, on the East Gippsland Community - Victoria
(PhD , Primary Advisor)

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the
past 7 years.
Note: Map points are
indicative of the countries or states that institutions are
associated with.

My research interests bridge the local with the global. I am a passionate North Queenslander who has the privilege of working with like-minded global partners. I believe all tropical communities deserve the most appropriate, accessible and affordable health systems. Since 2009 I have been an active member of the Training for Health Equity Network (THEnet), a global collaboration of health professional schools aspiring to be socially accountable. I am a member of the Scientific Committee of the World Summit on Social Accountability; ‘Improving the Impact of Educational Institutions on People’s Health’ (to be held in Tunis in 2017).